Transfer Talk: Man United eye West Ham's Marko Arnautovic

The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow live with our daily blog throughout the summer.

West Ham to resist Arnautovic offers

West Ham remain adamant that Marko Arnautovic is not for sale despite interest from Manchester United, says the Evening Standard.

Reports emerged on Wednesday that United are plotting a £50 million move for the Hammers’ record signing, whom Jose Mourinho managed during his spell at Inter Milan. Later that night Mourinho was spotted at Austria’s friendly against Russia, fueling speculation that a bid for the 29-year-old forward is imminent.

But according to the Standard, West Ham “consider Arnautovic off limits” following a debut season that saw him claim 11 goals in the Premier League.

Instead, the Hammers intend to strengthen their squad, with new manager Manuel Pellegrini set to be handed a £75m transfer budget.

Liverpool bid for Fekir …

Liverpool have made an official offer for Nabil Fekir as they step up their interest in the Lyon playmaker, says Le Parisien.

According to the report, the Reds’ opening bid is around the €60m mark, which is believed to be short of Lyon’s demands.

The Ligue 1 club are in no rush to sell their captain, but it’s thought Fekir and Liverpool would like the transfer to be wrapped up before France begin their World Cup campaign on June 16.

Fekir has been tipped to play a key role for his country in Russia, having guided Lyon to Champions League qualification with 18 goals and eight assists.

… and Klopp targets Cillessen

Jurgen Klopp may have found the solution to his goalkeeping quandary in the shape of Barcelona shotstopper Jasper Cillessen, reports Mundo Deportivo.

The 29-year-old is eager to leave the Spanish champions after starting only two La Liga matches in two years since his £11m move from Ajax. The only sticking point is that Barcelona are reluctant to sell, with Liverpool potentially having to meet Cillessen’s €60m release clause.

As Mundo Deportivo points out, the Dutchman’s price tag is considerably less than Alisson’s or Jan Oblak’s, but it still seems steep for a back-up keeper used only in cup competitions. Given current market rates for new No. 1s, Loris Karius might be hopeful of being handed an unlikely reprieve.

Meanwhile, Kicker magazine suggests Real Madrid’s interest in Lewandowski has cooled because his agent Pini Zahavi could not persuade Neymar to join them instead of PSG. Zahavi said on Wednesday that Lewandowski wants to leave Bayern Munich, but while Manchester United and PSG remain interested, Kicker says that Chelsea are the only club to have made a firm offer for Lewandowski.

All the while, Bayern continue to rule out selling Lewandowski, with Kicker saying “it’s a matter of principle.”

Tap-ins

— Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has told friends he will snub interest from Man United to join Juventus, claims Calciomercato. The Lazio midfielder has been linked with a £90m move to Old Trafford, but now appears set to stay in Serie A.

— Arsenal are close to recruiting PSG wunderkindYacine Adli, according to the Mirror. The 17-year-old is apparently “unconvinced by the project” at PSG, and will sign a three-year deal with the Gunners to team up with Unai Emery again.

— Benjamin Hubner has turned down a move to Everton, says Kicker, because he wants to play in the Champions League with Hoffenheim. The 28-year-old central defender has attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs.

— RB Leipzig have agreed to terms with left-back Marcelo Saracchi of River Plate, according to Kicker. Leipzig have offered €11.5m but River Plate are holding out for a fee of €13m for the Uruguay under-20 international. Meanwhile, Leipzig have signed right-back Nordi Mukiele from Montpellier on a five-year deal for €16m.